session

[sesh-uhn]

noun

1. the sitting together of a court, council, legislature, or the like, for conference or the transaction of business.

   Congress is now in session.

2. a single continuous sitting, or period of sitting, of persons so assembled.

3. a continuous series of sittings or meetings of a court, legislature, or the like.

4. the period or term during which such a series is held.

5. sessions, (in English law) the sittings or a sitting of justices in court, usually to deal with minor offenses, grant licenses, etc.

6. a single continuous course or period of lessons, study, etc., in the work of a day at school.

   Through a mixture of both lectures and lab sessions, you will develop a broad engineering skill base.

7. a portion of the year into which instruction is organized at a college or other educational institution.

   She’s enrolled in a six-week summer session.

8. the governing body of a local Presbyterian church, composed of the pastor who moderates and the elders.

9. a period of time during which a group of persons meets to pursue a particular activity.

   It was the last show before their recording sessions this week where they will produce their first album.

session

/ ˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the meeting of a court, legislature, judicial body, etc, for the execution of its function or the transaction of business

2. a single continuous meeting of such a body

3. a series or period of such meetings

4. education

   1. the time during which classes are held

   2. a school or university term or year

5. Presbyterian Church the judicial and administrative body presiding over a local congregation and consisting of the minister and elders

6. a meeting of a group of musicians to record in a studio

7. a meeting of a group of people to pursue an activity

8. any period devoted to an activity

9. See Court of Session

Other Word Forms

• sessional adjective
• presession noun
• sessionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of session¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sessio(u)n, cessio(u)n, from Anglo-French, Middle French session, from Latin sessiōn- (stem of sessiō ) “sitting, bench, law-court sitting,” equivalent to sess(us) (past participle of sedēre to sit ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of session¹

C14: from Latin sessiō a sitting, from sedēre to sit

Idioms and Phrases

see bull session.

Example Sentences

The yen consolidated against other G-10 and Asian currencies in the early session as traders digest Japan Finance Minister Katayama’s concerns over the Japanese currency’s recent movements.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The following session produced a bullish piercing line candle, but that recovery attempt quickly faded.

Read more on Barron's

Hundreds of people signed up before the session to speak out in opposition to the bill, while just dozens came to speak in support of it.

Read more on Salon

The pilot will also see staff, students, parents and carers trained in restorative and relational practices in a 90-minute session in January.

Read more on BBC

Turkey wants COP31 to focus on the world's most vulnerable regions, with potential special sessions addressing Pacific issues, the diplomatic source added.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• conference 
• discussion 
• hearing 
• period 
• term